Saturday Feb. 27, 2016....Sang a show today at one of my regular stops. The activity director usually
has me perform an afternoon one-hour show twice a month....Because
of my regular appearances I have become friends with many of the
residents who wait patiently for me to arrive and watch me set up.
After my equipment was set, as usual, I
walked around the area and chatted with many of the regulars... They
were full of stories about their lives or other fun subjects...the
topics can run from how they had their drivers license taken away
(and which family member “turned them in”)...or their submarine
duty during World War II....., or most recently I had a woman
resident approach me and ask me to come off to the side with
her...she gave me a coy smile and asked if I had a cigarette she
could bum from me! I was very surprised because I had never seen her
smoke before and nobody had ever had made such a request! I
explained that I don't smoke and was sorry I didn't have any to share
with her! But then she pressed further and asked me to walk around
for her to ask other people if they had a cigarette she could have!
I explained that my show was about to start and I wouldn't be able to
help her out. She was terribly disappointed and I have to admit that
I felt sorry for her.
During that same show one of the
residents had his family show up. His two daughters along with their
children added so much life to the audience. They clapped and danced
with the music while the residents watched and everyone in the room
felt the joy. I walked away saying prayers of thanks that I can be
part of their lives through music.
March 5th Another Saturday
afternoon performance! I was told by some of the regular audience
members that one of the active residents had recently passed
away...we talked about it and how sad we were, but they assured me
that he had been in terrible pain from cancer and everyone was
expecting the loss, including the deceased widow....I ended up
talking to her and she was at peace, but felt very lonely...they had
been married 65 years!
They are each a treasure and they have
a story....I'm honored to share my time with these wonderful people.
